Gov. Brown calls in 100 OSP troopers to assist Portland police after 3 nights of riots
But says 50 deployed National Guard troops will play support role only
(Update: Adding governor's news release, link to full statement, video)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ/AP) -- Gov. Kate Brown said Monday she has sent 100 Oregon State Police troopers from around the state to assist Portland police after three nights of rioting and violence, but will keep 50 National Guard members in a support role only.
"They will not be on the front lines, making arrests or doing crowd control," Brown said.
"Our goal, and the goal of the overwhelming number of protesters, should be to reduce violence," the governor said. "You don't defuse violence by putting soldiers on our streets."
"That's exactly what President Trump wants," Brown said. "Trump wants us to deploy the National Guard, as a show of force to intimidate the public. I want to assure that the public can safely raise their voices in this much-needed call for reform."
"Racism and racial disparities impact every aspect of our culture and society," Brown said earlier. "Words are not enough. we need action. we need collective action."
Gov. Brown's news release:
Governor Kate Brown Calls for Peaceful Protest, Justice Reform
Governor to send 100 Oregon State Police, 50 National Guard Members to support Portland Police Bureau
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today joined with state and local leaders in calling for peaceful protest to honor the memory of George Floyd, as well as the need for meaningful racial and criminal justice reform.
“The killing of George Floyd is a stain on this country,” said Governor Brown. “On Friday thousands of people gathered at several peaceful protests across the city. This was a cry for action. A call for reform. A community in mourning. Then very late at night, much smaller groups decided to break windows and damage property. Senseless violence does not honor George Floyd’s death or create accountability. Only the hard work of racial justice will.”
“To everyone who is hurting right now, I want to say I see you. I hear you. I stand with you. And I add my voice to yours. Years and years of failure to reform police practices. Years of failure to hold police officers accountable. Years of failure to bring real reforms to our criminal justice system, which incarcerates Black Americans at five times the rate of white Americans.”
To help protect property and ensure peaceful protests, the governor also announced she would be sending 100 Oregon State Police to work with the Portland Police Bureau today, as well as 50 members of the Oregon National Guard, to serve in a support function only.
The Oregon National Guard members will not be on the front lines, making arrests, or doing crowd control. They will act as support personnel––caring for the injured, processing arrests, and directing traffic.
The Governor’s full remarks are available here.
The livestream from the Governor’s press conference is available here.
Earlier (Associated Press) story):
The mayor of Portland had again asked the governor to call up the Oregon National Guard on Monday to help police with protests that have spun into violence for three consecutive nights.
Mayor Ted Wheeler said Brown declined to call up the National Guard on Sunday.
Police arrested 12 adults during protests Sunday and early Monday morning after authorities said projectiles – including aerial mortars – were thrown at officers at demonstrations over the killing of George Floyd.
Two juveniles were also detained.
A protest of several thousand turned violent close to midnight, even though some officers had earlier taken a knee with demonstrators.
Brown called a press availability by teleconference for 3 p.m. Monday, to be joined by Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, state Sen. Sen Lew Frederick, Rep. Janelle Bynum and Oregon State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton.
The demonstrations by thousands of people were peaceful for much of the day, but Sunday night, hundreds of people gathered outside the Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown. Police said protesters smashed windows at the federal courthouse and through loudspeakers authorities declared the late-night gathering a civil disturbance.
“It has been a long, difficult and emotional several days in Portland and across the country, and we understand why,” said Police Chief Jami Resch. “Yesterday’s events started peacefully, and there was a very organic moment when some of our sergeants and demonstrators took a knee together next to the Justice Center. I am proud of this moment, as it reflects community and understanding.”
On Saturday, police arrested 48 people after downtown storefronts were vandalized and fires were set overnight Saturday.
The demonstrations were in response to the killing of Floyd, a black man who died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck until he stopped breathing. His death has prompted protests across the U.S. and Europe.
